Horseshoe-pad.



w No. 731,414. PATENTED JUNE 16, 1903;.

R. P. MQDOUGALL. I

HORSESHOE PAD.

K0 MODEL.

. WITNESSES: 7 INVENTOH M (0 w v I Anon/v5) Patented June 16, 1903.

ROBERT P. MCDOUGALL, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK.

IHORSESHOE-PAD,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 731,414, dated June 16, 1903. Application filed October 30, 1902. Serial No. 129,362. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that LROBERT P. MODOUGALL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Yonkers, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Horseshoe-Pads, of which the following is a specification.

While elastic-tread horseshoesand shoepads are old in the art, these have in general been objectionable in that if faced entirely with rubber or equivalent material their elasticity has been short-lived or if backed by a leather or other soft base such base has become easily softened by moisture and the pad rendered unfit for service through stretching,

buckling, tearing, or sometimes coming 0d.

.rrThese defectshave permitted dirt to accumulate between the pad and hoof, thus injuring the animal wearing such pads.

The object of my invention is to overcome all the disadvantages incident to the use of the pad as above described and without sacrificing any of the advantages, and I accomplish this by substituting a peculiar form of metal base for the leather one above described.

For a more particular description of one embodiment of my said invention reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings,

0 formingapart of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a pad provided with a shoe. Fig. 2 is a similar View of a pad with the shoe removed. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a base portion. Fig. 1 is a sec- 5 'tional View taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view showing the edge of the base. Figs. 6 and 7 show a modified form of base, Fig. 7 being taken on the line 7 7, Fig. 6.

Throughout the various views similar ref- 0 erence characters designate similar parts.

The pad 1 comprises a base 2, which is made rigid and preferably of metal, to which is vulcanized or otherwise suitably secured the rubber cushion 3 on the lower surface, and on 5 the upper surfacethat is, the surface next the hoof when the pad is in placeis secured a backing 4:, which may be of any suitable material. A shoe 5 rests in a seat of the cushion 3, as is usual in structures of this kind.

The base 2 comprises a flat plate 6, which may be provided with external flanges 7 at the heels connected by transverse ribs 8 to internal flange 9 orflanges 9 9'. These flanges and ribs merely strengthen the plate 6 and assist in securing the rubber cushion in position. They may be of any size, thickness, or length and project any suitable distance from the plate 6 or maybe omitted entirely or in part, although if they are omitted either in whole or in part the structure is correspondingly weakened.

Suitable perforations 10 are provided,

,through which the rubber cushion 3 extends for a better engagement with the base 2. i This base is also provided with a toe 11 and recesses 12 on each side thereof, so that when the shoe is nailed in place the base will not interfere.

The rubber cushion 3 extends entirely over the base 2 from the end of the toe 11 to and beyond heels 13, so that the flanges 7 tend to force the rubber inwardly against the frog of the foot whenever a horse puts pressure on the pad. At the forward part of the pad and onleach side of the toe is a shoe-seat 14, in which the shoe 5 rests. This shoe may be given the usual nail holes 15 andfullerings 16.

The advantages of my improved pad over those with a leather base and those now com monly in use will be readily understood. As the base is preferably made of malleable castiron, the pad 1 may be readily bent, if necessary, to fit it to .a hoof, and as the metal is a non-absorbent of water the pad is not bent or buckled in Wet weather, so as to become loosened or to permit the lodgment of dirt or filth between the pad and the hoof. Furthermore, the base is sufficiently strong to prevent all distortion when the pad is in use, so that the rubber and shoe are held true to their proper positions until the shoe is worn out and the pad and shoe should be renewed. These and other advantages are obtained at a less cost than the cost of the pads now in use.

While I have shown'and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is obvious that many other embodiments may be made which change merely the form or position of elements without departing from the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A pad for horseshoes and the like, comprising a metal base with a toe-piece With a a tread and which is provided with a seat for recess on each side, a cushion covering said base, and a seat in said cushion for a shoe.

2. A pad for horseshoes and the like, comprising a rigid base with flanges adjacent to the heels thereof, a cushion covering said base and provided with a seat adapted to receive a shoe.

3. A pad for horseshoes and the like, comprising a flat and rigid base with an internal flange about the toe-section thereof, and an elastic body covering the same which forms a shoe.

4. In a horseshoe-pad or similar device, a resilient cushion with a seat for a shoe, a rigid and non-absorbent base fixed to said cushion and substantially coextensive with the outline of the cushion, and extending beneath the said seat.

R. P. MCDOUGALL.

Witnesses:

SOPHIE SEKosKY, O. ELLERY EDWARDS, Jr. 

